curtis



(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 1. H. A. CURTIS.

FILE BOX.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

H. A. CURTIS.

FILE BOX.

No. 386,058. Patented July 10, 1888.

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iINiTEn STATES PATENT @EETEE.

HENRY A. CURTIS, OF \VASI-IINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ACSIGNOR OF ONE'HALF 'IO JAMES A. EDGAR, OF SAME PLACE.

FILE-BOX.

ESPEGIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 386,058, dated July 10, 1888.

(No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY A. CURTIS, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at \Vashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful File-Box,

of which the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to improvements in tileboxes for receiving and storing bills, papers, and similar articles, and the object is IO to simplify and improve existing articles or devices of the kind.

My invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed at the end of this specification, and I have fully and clearly illustrated my improvements in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l is a perspective view of my improved file-box, shown as clamped to a package of papers. Fig. 2 is a side view in elevation showing the follower drawn from a clamping position and the papers in position for withdrawal or examination of their indorsements. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the fileboX. Fig. 4 is a vertical central sectional view of the follower. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the bottom board of the filebox, taken on the line a: a: of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the bottom board, and Fig.7 is side view showing the follower drawn back to its limit and resting in tipped posi tion.

Reference being had to the drawings, A designates the bottom board of the fileboX. This consists of apiece of wood of requisite strength and dimensions, having cut in it the longitudinally-arrangcd slots 1 2, extending from the end connected to the end board to a short distance from the other end, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6 of the drawings, leaving standing or remaining between the slots the central piece, 3, about which the loop of the follower slides and clamps. The inner ends of the slots 1 2 are inclined, as seen at 4, in order that the follower-loop may rest easily in inclined position when the follower is placed in tipped position, as seen in Fig. 7 of the drawings. On

each bottom edge of the bottom board are socured narrow strips of wood, 5 6,which serve to give clearance-space for the loop to move unobstructed on the central piece, and also serve to strengthen the bottom board when made from light material. This construction also gives the air access to the bottom of the files when the fileboxes are arranged on shelves, and tends to keep the contents from becoming moldy or damaged by dampness. To the end of the bottom board is fitted the end board, B. This end board is arranged at right angles to the bottom board, and the parts may be secured together at their intersect-ion by tongues or rabbets or any other well-known connection,substantially as shown.

C designates the side pieces and handle of the file-box. These are formed of a single strip of thin metal having the one end secured 6 to the side of the bottom board at or near the free end, as at 7, and the angular point struck down flat on the under face of the bottom board, as shown in the dotted lines at 8, from whence the strip is carried upward with 7) an incline to a proper height and secured to the end board, as at 9, from whence the strip is carried across the face of the end board, as shown, and has a handle, 10, formed in the part so crossing. The strip is then carried down on the other side of the box at an incline, and at the turn is secured to the end board, and its end secured to the free end of the bottom board with angular point struck underand down on the bottom face of the bottom board. The side pieces or braces and handle thus are made of a single strip,which, being struck flat against the face of the end board, as at 11, serves to hold the bottom and end boards securely braced together. 8,

On the bottom face of the bottom board I secure a T-shaped plate, the stem 12 of which covers the under face of the central strip of the bottom and the head 13 of which sets across the under face of the bottom and over the turned-in ends of the side pieces under the side strips of the bottom, as shown in Fig.

6 of the drawings. This T-plate serves to strengthen the part to which connected and preventsthe loop from wearing the wood of the central piece of the bottom board.

D designates the follower. This consists of the followenplatc 14,0f rectangular shape,aud a clamp-block, 15,secured to its outer face. The clamp-block at the base is notched or has a seat, 16, formed therein, made by cutting away the base and leaving the end projecting below the base of the follower, as seen in Figs.

4 and 7. In the follower is fixed a wire loop, 17, which is formed to inclose the central piece of the bottom board of the tile-box, as seen in the drawings. The ends of the loops may be struck down and driven in the follower, as seen in Fig. 4, and the arms rest between the follower and the clamping-block, and are so held by thefastenings which secure the follower and the clamping-block together. The end of the clamping-block being arranged to extend below the end of the follower, the action of the contents of the filebox is to force the follower back, which tends to lift and tilt it, and brings the end of the clamping-block down on the end board,and thus holds the follower about vertical and in clamped position. The clampingblock is made wide enough to extend beyond the slots in the bottom b0ard,-in order that the force or strain may be taken from the central strip and those parts of the bottom board at the sides made to assume part of the stress.

In the application of my improved file-box to use the contents of files are clamped by pushing the follower tight against them and then removing the pressure. The force of the files locks the clamp against backward movement. The contents are released from clamp by pressing inward on the upper end of the follower, which movement releases the foot of the clamp-block, and it, with the follower, is forced back and assumes the position seen in Fig. 2 of the drawings. To give access to the full file,the follower is drawn clear back, when the end of the clamp-block falls over the end of the bottom board, as seen in Fig. 7, and tips back at an incline.

It Will be seen from the foregoing that my improved file-box consists, essentially, of but four aggrouped elements-that is, a bottom board, an end board, side pieces and handle in one piece, and a follower. The otherelements of construction shown and described as associated with the primary elements all serve to complete and perfect the box.

What I claim is- 1. As an improved article of manufacture, the file-box herein described, consisting of a bottom board, an end board, a sliding adjustable follower, and side pieces and handle formed from a single piece of metal, substan tially as described.

2. The file-box herein described, consisting of an end board, the bottom board slotted lon gitudinally, a follower having a clampingblock rigidly secured thereto and extending below the lower end of the follower,and a loop fixed in the follower to surround the central piece of the bottom board between the slots therein, and a single strip of metal constituting the side pieces and handle of the box, substantial] y as described.

3. The combination, with a file box having longitudinal slots in the bottom board and a central piece between said slots, of a Tshaped metal plate arranged with its stem on the face of said central piece and its head across the outer end of the bottom board, substantially as described and shown.

4:. The improved file-box herein described, consisting ofthe bottom board, A,formed with a central piece having slots on each side thereof and strengthening-strips along the bottom sides, an end board, B, arranged as described, the metal strip constituting the side pieces and handle of the box, the T-shaped metal plate on the bottom of the box, and a sliding follower having a loop secured therein to slide on the central piece of the bottom board, all substantially as described.

In witness whereof have hereunto set my hand in the presence oftwo attesting-witnesses.

HENRY A. CURTIS.

Attest:

J. THoMsoN ORoss, A. G. HEYLMUN. 

